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This pick in part confuses me and yet I do understand it to a point. Patrick Peterson was a probowl PR, but he is focusing on being a "shut down corner" and his return game is suffering. Tyrann is a dynamic punt returner. That said I do not see him as just a punt returner, I can see him playing the nickel or making the move to Free Safety as he has ball skills. This is a true boom or bust pick for the Cardinals as he does have character concerns with drugs and that is the last thing we need is another player suspended for multiple games. I believe with Peterson and a strong support system he can play to his full potential like a true Honey Badger.
Strengths
Fiesty turnover machine who lines up outside, in the slot and at safety when needed. Instinctual player with very good read-and-react ability, always seems to work his way into position to make a play on the ball. Does whatever it takes to make a stop, fights through blocks using hands and quickness, goes low or high and doesnít let up after initial contact. Brings enough force despite his size to get ballcarriers off balance with a glancing blow. Constantly rips at the ball while making a tackle or when others have secured the stop. Fights for jump balls with taller receivers downfield. Regularly used as a blitzer due to his feel, quickness and tenacity. Very good vision and short-area quickness as a punt returner, can make the first man miss and cut back effectively against the grain. Will go outside if the space is there but also slalom through traffic up the field when necessary. Also has balance and strength to get through arm tackles. Will also be a strong tackler on coverage units if required.
Weaknesses
Mathieuís issues with substance abuse will be the primary focus of NFL teams whenever he decides to pursue a career in professional football. Possesses below-average size for the position. Usually brings down ballcarriers of any size, NFL veterans might prove a bigger challenge. Quicker than fast, though his effort often masks average straight-line speed for his size. Must prove his ability to stay with larger receivers and tight end in man coverage, as they use their length advantage to separate and frame to shield him from the ball. Will take chances as a punt returner, grabbing the ball on a bounce or inside the 5-yard line.
NFL Comparison
Cortland Finnegan
Bottom Line
The 2011 Bednarik Award winner as the nationís top defender was dismissed from LSU for multiple violations of team rules. Subsequently, he decided to enter a drug rehab center and ultimately ended up declaring for the draft instead of transferring. When on the field, the undersized but ultracompetitive turnover machine (six forced fumbles, two interceptions in 2011) brings the physicality of a bigger player in his tackles, no matter where he plays. Mathieu is also a game-changer as a punt returner, ranking fourth in the country last year with 16.2 yards per attempt and scoring two touchdowns.
Positives: Plays bigger than his size. Doesn't back from the physical challenge of lining up opposite taller wideouts and is actually more effective the closer he is to the line of scrimmage, demonstrating stellar instincts and awareness to avoid blocks and make plays in close quarters. Possesses excellent lateral agility and acceleration which gives him the ability to close quickly on the ball. Is a tenacious defender with strong, active hands to rip the ball away. Excellent ball skills. Minimizes his natural height disadvantage by timing his leap well in jump-ball situations and competing throughout the catch process, ripping away at the ball as he and the intended receiver are descending. Naturally plucks the ball out of the air and secures it quickly. Tracks the ball well over his shoulder. Quick feet, fluid hips and a legitimate second gear make him very effective in coverage, especially on shorter routes. Dynamic returner with a flair for the dramatic. Has demonstrated the ability to play well on the big stage against elite competition.

Negatives: Lacks ideal height for the position and is quicker than he is fast, making him susceptible on longer throws. Highly aggressive and will bite on underneath routes. Possesses the suddenness to make up for a miss-step but does not have the elite straight-line speed to recover against a well-executed double-move and accurate pass. Trusts his instincts too much and can put his teammates in difficult positions by drifting to where he anticipates the quarterback will be going with the football. As such, cerebral NFL quarterbacks will be able to manipulate him with their eyes and potentially beat him over the top with accurate deep passes. Has a well-documented history of poor decisions off the field that could result in even more struggles given the money and notoriety he'll receive as an NFL player.

While he may have his faults, I'd give him PLUS grades in tackling, instincts in zone coverage, and return ability. You said it yourself Bowles will play a lot of DBs on the field. I think Mathieu will fit right in.

Apparently he's dating the step-daughter of Todd Bowles??? IMO, if there's any situation that can get the most out of Mathieu, it's this one.

His tackling is average, not great not bad. His ability in zone coverage is good, but that then plays away from the strengths of Patrick Peterson is we are going to run zone heavy sub packages.

Do we line him up at safety or corner?

I disagree on his tackling. I think he's a very good tackler. He wraps up really well and most importantly, the guy knows how to strip the football. I think he'll be fine in whatever coverage we run.

Just wondering but what is your biggest concern with Mathieu? Is it his drug history? Or his schematic fit?

My initial reaction was hyperbole. I still don't like it, but we are going to have to do a lot of different things with this kid to get the best out of him. He is going to need to work his rear end off to do well.

I just worry about him falling back into old habits as soon as he gets some money._________________

1 - I still have no idea who rushes the passer for us.
2 - I still don't know how you use Mathieu within the scheme of the defense.

Was there a pass rusher on board that you would have preferred? If so, we might still be able to get him in the 4th. Many of us complained about taking Williams and Housler instead of a pass rusher and then Acho fell right into our laps.

I don't think Mathieu is so scheme-restricted as you make him out to be. That's just how LSU played him.

My initial reaction was hyperbole. I still don't like it, but we are going to have to do a lot of different things with this kid to get the best out of him. He is going to need to work his rear end off to do well.

I just worry about him falling back into old habits as soon as he gets some money.

But a guy that could be moved all around the field could be a good thing, No? We can move him all over the field. I think that's an asset not a setback.

I worry about it too but he seems genuine about it. He mentioned he might have a clause in his contract where he'll have to take weekly drug tests. That's a pretty strong incentive not to smoke marijuana.

My initial reaction was hyperbole. I still don't like it, but we are going to have to do a lot of different things with this kid to get the best out of him. He is going to need to work his rear end off to do well.

I just worry about him falling back into old habits as soon as he gets some money.

Did he say there are clauses in his contract about staying clean? Not sure if it was that or he's just reiterating that with money comes responsibility._________________mike23md

My initial reaction was hyperbole. I still don't like it, but we are going to have to do a lot of different things with this kid to get the best out of him. He is going to need to work his rear end off to do well.

I just worry about him falling back into old habits as soon as he gets some money.

Did he say there are clauses in his contract about staying clean? Not sure if it was that or he's just reiterating that with money comes responsibility.

He is saying AZ can put whatever they like into contract._________________